East Front News #8: Polish-India Strategic Partnership, Polish Law Enforcement, "Piorun" in Norway

Prime Minister Modi in Poland

On August 22nd, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Poland, marking the first visit by an Indian head of government to Warsaw in 45 years. The primary goal of Modi’s visit was to strengthen Polish-Indian relations, elevating them to the level of a strategic partnership. Poland and India plan to collaborate in various fields, including advanced technologies (such as AI), space programs, student exchanges, defense industries, and energy transformation. The Indian Prime Minister also expressed a desire to enhance cooperation with Polish food companies as India establishes new food banks. Modi emphasized Poland’s significant role within the European Union, particularly as Warsaw is set to assume the EU presidency in January 2025.

He hopes for Poland’s support in fostering stronger ties with other EU member states. The Indian Prime Minister also underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving conflicts, specifically referencing the situation in Ukraine. Importantly, Modi confirmed India’s readiness to contribute to ending the war in Ukraine, highlighting India’s role in the peace process. Additionally, it is noteworthy that New Delhi is keen on becoming a partner country in the Three Seas Initiative, reflecting growing geopolitical dynamics not only in the context of the China-India rivalry in Asia but also in Europe.

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Piorun MANPADS Live-Fired in Norway

The Norwegian army proudly showcased the initial live-fire tests of the new „Piorun” man-portable air defence systems. Test firings took place in the Finnmark region of Norway, the only part of the country that shares a land border with Russia. Norway is one of the four countries that applied for co-financing of the joint procurement of Piorun within European EDIRPA program.

Piorun MANPADS has been developed within the framework of the domestic industry’s R&D effort, pursued since 2010 by Mesko S.A. (leader), Telesystem-Mesko, and the Military University of Technology. The project has used experiences gathered during the development of the Grom missile. Piorun MANPADS (combat-proven in Ukraine), which can effectively neutralize aerial threats at ranges from 400 m to more than 6.5 km, at altitudes ranging from 10 m to more than 4 km. It remains highly resilient in the presence of countermeasures.

Law on Support for Military and Law Enforcement Actions in Poland

On August 31st, a new law will come into effect in Poland aimed at updating the conditions and methods for the use of force during peacetime. The legislation allows the military to independently carry out operations within the country during peacetime. It also provides legal protection for soldiers and law enforcement officers in cases involving the use of firearms, including provisions that exempt them from criminal liability for using weapons or coercive measures. This is particularly crucial for personnel stationed at the Polish-Belarusian border, where the law is designed to cover situations requiring immediate action to counter threats to the life or health of soldiers and officers.

The primary goal of the law is to enhance the safety of security forces operating at the border. However, it has been condemned by left-wing politicians and NGOs, such as the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, who argue that the law, in its current form, could be seen as a „license to kill.” For several years, Belarus has engaged in hybrid warfare at the Polish border, primarily through the use of illegal migration, and tensions have escalated since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The situation at the border remains exceptionally tense, with Polish soldiers daily repelling attempts to illegally cross into the country. Tensions further heightened after the death of a 21-year-old soldier who was fatally stabbed in the neck by one of the migrants.

Polish-Turkish Talks on the Defence Cooperation

Representatives of the Ministry of State Assets, the Ministry of Defence, as well as PGZ, HSW and WZL No. 2 paid a working visit to Türkiye. The aim was to discuss long-term cooperation between the two countries. Secretaries of State Marcin Kulasek (MAP) and Paweł Bejda (MON), together with PGZ President Krzysztof Trofiniak, members of the board and representatives of HSW and WZL No. 2, travelled to Turkey to strengthen cooperation in the arms sector. The talks concerned, among other things, unmanned ships or naval drones. In addition, the Polish delegation took part in a demonstration of Selfine’s latest production platform (Marlin USV).

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East Front News is a weekly newsletter and article on Defence24.com summarizing the past week’s most important events concerning security and the situation in the Central and Eastern Europe region. It includes original opinions and comments, along with key news items significant from a Polish perspective.

Jakub Palowski, Deputy Ed. in Chief & Aleksander Olech, PhD